Art exhibition in Eastbourne shopping centre viewed by thousands of shoppers

During this time, Compass Arts has been able to exhibit some of the work of its 135 members, talk to shoppers and put mental health on the radar of thousands of visitors to their temporary studio in the shopping centre.

“It has been an amazing experience for our artists to have a studio in the middle of The Beacon shopping centre,” explained Compass artistic director Fenya Sharkey.

“We have been going for 20 years and this has been the best spot ever for us. We have had people gazing in through the window and we have had visitors who ventured in to take a closer look and talk to the artists about their works. A rich and rewarding experience.

“When we were invited to partner with the Towner Gallery for Eastbourne ALIVE’s programme of exhibitions and events to support the hosting of the Turner Prize, The Beacon was able to provide an additional unit.

“This is an artist’s dream, so much potential to curate and be ambitious with the scale of the art.

“The exhibiting artists have had multiple traumas and for some, this has had significant impact, changing the course of their lives. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be displaying artwork in this wonderful shopping centre. I am so grateful to the Centre Management team, in particular Mark and Hend, for all their support.”

Based in Eastbourne, Compass Arts is an artist-led organisation for anyone vulnerable to social isolation, lived trauma, mental illness, and hidden disabilities.

Fenya added: “Our tried and tested approach recognises that people feel most empowered when given independence, responsibility and are at the ‘giving’ end of care.

“We have nine professional artists delivering a weekly program across several sites, free of charge and without any expectation of the participants. Our spaces are always safe, supportive, and compassionate and provide new direction and skills in people’s lives.”

The unit in The Beacon, opposite New Look, allowed the artists to show their work to more than 30,000 visitors and window shoppers.

The artists all have complex trauma and a diagnosis of mental illness.

Fenya added: “This was such a wonderful opportunity for our artists to meet and talk to visitors about the work of Compass Arts.

“The exhibition was called The Big Conversation and visualised what people are talking about in the ordinary and every day of life. The struggles and barriers that many of us face and which can have a devastating effect on our artists.

"They experience these issues as being specifically connected to the stigma around mental illness. Being in the exhibition and talking to visitors and shoppers has helped everyone to be more confident in voicing the struggles of living outside of the mainstream.”

Beacon General Manager Mark Powell said he was delighted the exhibition had gone so well. “We wanted to support our local artists, especially in light of The Turner Prize Awards coming to Eastbourne,” Mark said.

“When this unit became available, we thought it would be perfect for Fenya and Compass Arts. We have been so pleased to have them in the centre.”